Legal Industry News

Gay Christian wins Church tribunal

A gay Christian is in line for substantial damages after a tribunal found that his appointment to a youth worker position was blocked as a result of his sexuality.

John Reaney, 42, told the court how he had been quizzed over a previous gay relationship by Bishop of Hereford, the Rt Reverend Anthony Priddis during his interview for the position.

He claimed he was subsequently not given the job despite being the best candidate for the job.

Meanwhile, Bishop Priddis had told the tribunal that it was not Mr Reaney's sexuality had caused him to be rejected but rather the fact that he was in a sexually active relationship outside of marriage.

He said: "Such sexuality in itself was not an issue but Mr Reaney's lifestyle had the potential to impact on the spiritual, moral and ethical leadership within the diocese."

The tribunal accepted Mr Reaney's account of events, stating that "the respondents discriminated against the claimant on the grounds of sexual orientation".